THE EXPLORER
By FOONG THIM LENG
THE Taiping Lake Gardens (TLG) with its ancient raintrees and scenic lakes is the pride of the local residents.
Along Jalan Taman Tasik, you will be greeted by lovely sights of trees with long branches that form arches over the road and caressing the lake water at certain spots.
Some of the raintrees or angsana, had been there since the TLG was developed from 64ha of former tin mining land.
Priceless view: Visitors enjoying the view of a pond and fountain under a pavilion at the Taiping Lake Gardens.
It was donated by prominent Chinese community leader Chung Thye Phin (son of Kapitan Chung Keng Quee) in 1880.
It was also judged as the most beautiful garden in the country at a national-level cleanliness and beautification programme in 1996.
TLG is popular among local residents who spent time in the morning and evening to workout, cycle, jog or walk in the scenic green lung which has Bukit Larut in the backdrop.
“The lake garden has been well-kept by the authorities. It is so beautiful that even Astro filmed a Chinese New Year programme here this year,” said Taiping Tourist Association member Leong Kum Weng.
Uncomfortable: Resident Choo Chai Heng (forefront) want more chairs in the Taiping Lake Gardens.
However, vandalism and theft of public property had been rampant at the lake gardens.
“There were cases of street lamps switches and metal covers reported stolen. Even the lamps had been stolen before,” he said, adding that several signboards at TLG were damaged by vandals.
Leong said there were also complaints from the public who were confused by the traffic system.
“Some roads are one-way while others are two-way. Motorists are known to have driven into one-way roads without realising. Even, local residents can get confused at times.
“The authorities should make all roads one-way to avoid confusion,” he said.
Leong also cited incidents of motorists and Mat Rempits using Jalan Kedamaian, a pedestrian walk.
“The barricades put up by the Taiping Municipal Council at the entrance of Jalan Kedamaian are often removed by motorists and Mat Rempits.
”It is time that some permanent structure is built to prevent them from entering and also damaging the interlocking tiles on the road,” said Leong.
Another Taiping resident C.S Chuah said it was a shame that the Casuarina Inn located inside the TLG had been neglected.
“The inn is located in the heritage area. There are 32 tall pillars, which are remnant of a colonial era villa of the 1800s. The beauty of the place had attracted wedding couples to take photographs there.
“Since the closure of Casuarina Inn a year ago, the place has been overgrown with weeds,” he said.
Lim Kim Chye who exercise and bird watch at TLG said he noticed that some of ponds were drying up and algae and weeds had grown in them.
”Perhaps, a hydrologist should be invited to study the water levels at the ponds to find out how water can be evenly distributed,” he said.
A regular visitor to the TLG Choo Chai Heng requested for more chairs for senior citizens to rest and also wanted better lighting at night for security purpose.
